Karl Wallin

Karl I. Wallin died on Jan. 31, 2013. He was born in Lund, Sweden, on July 12, 1928 and came to the U.S. in the early "50s.

In California, he took up photography and, at first, ran a photography business with two partners in the Bay Area. In 1970, he formed Wallin Photography with his wife, Jill, and specialized in portraiture, industrial and, later, underwater photography. Karl was a professional photographer for close to 60 years.

He and his wife founded Wallin Dive Center in Redwood City in 1975 and became a Padi 5 Star store. Specializing in underwater photography, he and his wife led tours to all the premier diving locations in the world. Karl processed all the film and made prints in the darkroom he had built in his home.

After 20 years, the store was sold, and Karl and his wife moved to Mendocino where they continued with their photography featuring the lovely natural surroundings of the area. Karl built a darkroom in their home and processed the fine art prints they sold in various art galleries and outlets in the Mendocino area. Karl was quick to change to digital photography and, in his seventies, became a master of Photoshop. He was still matting and framing prints in the weeks before his death.

At his request, there will be no services. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Hospice, 700 River Drive, Fort Bragg, CA 95437, or the Mendocino Art Center, P.O. Box 765, Mendocino, CA 95460.